Page 76 of Royal Lies

I made a move to knock some sense into the boy for daring to utter such blasphemy about me. Not to mention the way he was touching her. How ballsy of him to touch her in such a manner.

It was Everetta's small smile that halted me now. Well doesn't someone seem amused? I seethed in quiet resentment. I was one second from clobbering those two when Akasuki's glaring gaze met mine. Ma-Maybe I should just stay put, I mean a little damage to my pride is fine as long as the civilians are safe. Besides, it's not as if they could hear this conversation.

"Now, tell me what's wrong? Surly nolittlelie could have deterred my brilliant queen. Right?" The boy tilted his head slightly.

As for the boy, I will end him the moment Akasuki is out of range. Besides, why was he with Akasuki in the first place, how does he even know her? More importantly, what the hell were they doing together before now?

"You left-" Everetta choked out, causing me to halt in my musings.

"Why didn't you find me sooner-" Tears rolled down her bright red cheeks as Everetta stared back at the boy, elegantly yes, but crying nonetheless. One thing she got right this evening. If one must cry they should cry delicately and elegantly and not like a balling dwarf.

Ok maybe, I felt a little guilty about what I had done, but it was all for her. I did it for her, how dare she twist my good intentions. My rage was swiftly cut off as Akasuki narrowed her gaze on me. Her cunning eye lowered down to the frozen dance floor beneath me. I cleared my throat letting the floor thaw.

Akasuki sighed her elegant words causing me to press my lips together in guilt, not at what I've done shadows no. It was more so that she caught me, "We're talking about this later, Eli." With those words out of her mouth, we both turned back to the scene before us.Ugh, it was like they were off in their own lalaland, which they so were not! I was right here!- I mean we. We were right here.The boy only smiled softly as the walls began to shake. Fuck. "Well, as you can see, my body isn't quite the same anymore." He chuckled softly as they both glazed past the crowd towards a certain false prince.

"Besides I am a Wolf, no matter the body I'm in, and no Wolf should ever return empty-handed. So I got you a little gift. I was hoping to give it to you under more... happy terms but well-" The boy paused as he took out a-no that was one of the gems, Everetta's little books- bloody hell.

Staring at the book wrapped in tongues, teeth, and lips Everetta cried more- well now that's an ugly cry. She should stop now. That's quite an embarrassing mess to show.

Swinging her arms around the boy, burying her face into the crook of his neck one hand clutching the book. If I could just- I reached slowly trying to inch towards the book and grab it.

"Eli! Seriously?" Akasuki glared daggers at me, her glowing red eyes still telling me she was working her magic.

Shrinking into myself I cleared my throat. Scratching the back of my head as if I was just caught red-handed. I mean I was caught but, I wasn't doing anything bad.

"Flynny it hurts, it hurts, so much-" She said, whining like a child again. I sighed just grateful she was done with her little tantrum.

"What hurts, my morning starlight?" The boy asked as Everetta spoke something unintelligible. Something about her head I think. I gripped my hands in anger, she could have toldme,and who the hell even is he? I mean I know but-he-he can't be.

"I see, well then I think this would be a great time to take a little nap. After when you wake up, it'll be sure to be better, alright?" The boy suggested but before Everetta had a chance to speak as quickly as lightning the boy, Fletcher, injectedsomething into her neck. Her body fell limp in his hands. I immediately jerked to help her to see what he's done to her but Akasuki was faster as she yanked me back, gripping onto my hands. "It's just a potion to make her sleep, to help her. Make her better after whatyoudid." She explained, cocking a brow at my actions. I rolled my eyes. I did what I needed to do, but before I could say anything the boy was turning to face us, an unconscious Everetta carried princess-style in his arms.

He smiled brilliantly towards us. Chills ran down my spine as his pristine white lashed lids revealed eyes as cool as ice. Halting my protesting movement I started in awe, relief, and horror. I couldn't deny it now, that smile, it was bone-chillingly familiar. He was most definitely my little brother, Flynn, or Fletcher as he goes by now. Everetta must have still been able to find his energy, even in that state. I suppose they were true mates, after all, how else would he have been able to touch her without burning, or calm her for that matter. Really, I should have known the moment he touched her but- why didn't I?

"Well, what are you all just standing there for? We have plans, no?" Fletcher, my little brother, smiled, a cool frost froze over the ground where he stood as his true fangs came out. "Of course, I'll find the culprit who poisoned her." My little sister replied as my little brother held up a hand.How the bloody hell did she get here? Wasn't she also under Akasuki's spell?

"No need, I already know who it is, all I need you to do is well- make sure he stays asleep." Fletcher smiled a smile that had invited unsuspecting victims to their doom. His pearly white teeth getting ready to devour his prey. Frowning I had forgotten that Lucarious had been near me before when he- When he suddenly wasn't. It was just when Everetta had attacked, I thought the bastard had simply left me and was watching as he always did, by the sidelines. Lucarious' body lay on the ground six feet away.Ok, was no one under Akasuki's spell anymore?

My little sister, the Princess of Snow and Frost, nodded, though her anger was visible. What was she angry about? Wasn't she glad that Fly—no, Fletcher—was back? The two seemed to be having a little battle of wills before Snow left, carrying the King of Blood and Fire. I narrowed my eyes, wondering what that was all about.

His icy cool pupils landed on me as I tried to shield Akasuki, laying a hand across her, even if she was a whole four inches taller than me. Cocking a brow as if in challenge. Fletcher simply kept smiling. "Brother." The fae uttered, stepping closer, I gulped, not willing to back down. "I think that plan of yours should proceed now, yes? Surely you've had your fill of playing pretend." Fletcher's eyes narrowed slightly giving off all the wintry wind anyone could ever need. Enraged, I held my tongue, knowing fully well of the little threads surrounding us at the moment, after all, how else did he get Lucarious to fall so quickly and withoutmenoticing? He didn't even move. I may not be able to see them but I know they were there, he always loved playing with them when we were kids in our old life. It seems he hasn't changed one bit, still obsessed and still as dangerously creepy as ever.

"I wasn't playing pretend." I grinded out.

"Oh, I'm sorry I couldn't help but assume after all there shouldn't be a reason for younotto inform my beloved Everetta of that false prince, yes? After all, you are my dear,dearbrother, who already made alittlemistake before. Remember when you so determinedly kept me and Everetta apart, followed by well, we don't need to be reminded of earlier, right? I followed your orders, in the past, I obeyed your wishes. Now in this life, I'm asking mybrotherfor a favor, a wish of my own. Speed things along won't you? After all I've done for you, surely this simple request is alright? Or do you still wish for our father to finally recognize you as his son? Elder brother, let's stop foolingaround. Do what you came here for. Claim the throne and bedonewith that bastard, or I will." Fletcher demanded his voice elegant, refined, soft, gentle, and above all a warning as frost blossomed further through the ballroom.

"Of course, how could he not? It's a request from his loving little brother," Akasuki answered for me as my mouth glued shut with fear and anger. My fingers curled as my nails dug into my skin. I felt a small trickle of blood leak down to the ground staining the fresh sein of frost on the floor. My little brother, not the fake impersonating his body, was a force to be reckoned with. As long as I had known that brother of mine, he'd always been obsessed with Everetta, so he wouldn't hurt her, but that is not to say he wouldn't hurt others, especially not me.

Shit.

Chapter 24

Eli

I was all but seconds from blowing the lid off my head. I don't know what change has come over her, but these mindless antics of hers were getting on my nerves. It wouldn't be anything new if not for the sudden power blast from nowhere. Now there's him?! Who the hell did he think he was to order me around, brother or not, I was still older. I scoffed at the order he'd tossed out. I would have crossed my arms too if I didn't have a hundred different eyes on me at the moment.

I suppose he was a Wolf. Only a true Wolf would ever dare to challengeme.

Staring across the room, I could already see the sweat and worry across the fake prince's neck. Yeah, that was for certain. No Wolf would ever appear like that in public.

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